As you know, AsktheJudge.info has remained a neutral site since its inception in 2007. We strive to report the facts and respond to our readers about issues that concern our youth. However, the time has come to speak out about the increasing numbers of victims
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Judge Tom Jacobs
Beware of TikTok dangers

If you are reading this post, you’re old enough to understand our message. We have written often about the latest challenge facing our youth. Do you remember the cinnamon challenge, or the duct tape challenge? Both foolish and to some, dangerous.
The latest challenge circulating the internet involves activities at school. One that’s getting some attention on TikTok involves damaging school bathrooms. Removing the soap dispensers or sinks in the boys and girls restrooms is leading to discipline at school, and even formal charges against the student for criminal damage. Spray painting or using markers on the walls result in…
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Young cyberbullies convicted in France
France created a new court in January, 2021 to prosecute online crimes following the criminalization of cyberbullying in 2018. It wasn’t long before they presided over a trial of thirteen persons ages 18 to 30 in Paris in June, 2021. They were charged with online
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New law prohibits the police from lying to juveniles in custody
Illinois has become the first state to prohibit the police from lying to juveniles that they’re interrogating. Any minor (under 18) in police custody and being questioned about a crime, whether a misdemeanor or felony, is protected if the police are “deceptive” in their interrogation.
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Once again, Tinker comes before the Supreme Court
In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children and teenagers have constitutional rights that must be respected by school officials. This case involved the display of black armbands in protest of the Vietnam war. A school district in Iowa prohibited students from wearing the
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The People Have Spoken
We at AsktheJudge.info have decided to break with tradition and our apolitical policy since 2007 by greeting a new day for America. Today, November 7, 2020, the presidential election has resulted in former Vice-President Joe Biden becoming the country’s president-elect. He will be sworn in
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Judge Tom Tackles Cyberbullying
A new book published by the American Bar Association in 2020 covers the subject of cyberbullying at home, school, in the community and workplace. Titled “Cyberbullying Law,” Judge Tom has collected over two hundred state and federal court cases over the past twenty-five years. Some
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New study about tweens and cyberbullying
A survey of 1,034 tweens in June-July, 2020 about cyberbullying resulted in the nation’s first research findings about kids 9 to 12 years of age. The study found that 90% of this age group are using social apps, including games and video-sharing sites in which
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Beware of what’s on your screen during online schooling

Other than being placed in the “waiting room” (a virtual time-out) by your teacher for not paying attention or goofing off during class, did you think you could be suspended or expelled for something? It happened to a 9-year-old fourth grade student in Louisiana in September, 2020.
Like many of you, Ka Mauri Harrison was in his bedroom taking a test online. He shares his bedroom with an older brother. At some point, his brother came into the room. When a gun fell to the floor, Ka got up from his seat, picked up the gun and placed it by…
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A long overdue win for the LGBTQ community

On June 15, 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that “An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.”
Three separate cases were consolidated for argument before the Court on October 8, 2019. Eight months later, the court issued its decision ruling that an individual could not be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for merely being gay or transgender. In other words, the prohibition against sex discrimination in the 1964 Civil Rights Act covers sexuality and gender identity. This decision applies to teenagers as well as adults.
In the first…
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A Way to Stop Carbon Pollution and Help Americans
*This is not a normal Earth Day. Although the theme of this 50th anniversary is climate action, COVID-19 has captured the world’s attention, and for good reason. The livability of our terrestrial home is now in crisis on two fronts. COVID-19 is a public health
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Social isolation tips for parents & educators during the pandemic

March 27, 2020
While millions of K-12 students are now shut-ins until the coronavirus ebbs, new challenges surface for kids, parents and educators doing their work online. The opportunity for cyberbullying is great, particularly for those not used to online learning.
Professor Sameer Hinduja* of Florida Atlantic University has written a thoughtful and informative article with suggestions to educators about monitoring the students they interact with to protect them from cyberbullying. This includes staying in touch with students, offering comfort and encouraging them to report any “problematic or abusive content.” Tips to parents include allowing ongoing social contact by Skyping…
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Coping with Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Many of our readers find themselves at home while school is out during the current spread of the coronavirus. Since the end of the school year is near, you may not return until next fall. In the meantime, states are attempting to address the spread of the virus by restricting movement and crowd size, and ordering stay-at-home policies. We are in this together with at least 150 other countries. Our welfare depends on following the advice of medical and public health officials. As of this writing, the United States has over 29,000 cases of the virus, and 376 deaths. The…
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Don’t fall for the “skull breaker” challenge

February 25, 2020
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A new challenge that’s gone viral on certain social platforms may lead to serious injuries or even death. Doctors warn against anyone, including teens who are filming the trick to post online, about the possible consequences.
Referred to as the “Skull Breaker Challenge,” it calls for three people to stand next to each other. The two on the outside jump up first. Then the middle person is told to jump up next. When he or she does, the two on the outside trip the middle person by kicking their legs out from under them. There…
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One year in jail for possessing a cell phone?

January 10, 2020
That’s the penalty in Vermont proposed in a bill introduced in the state legislature in January, 2020. State Senator John Rodgers quoted statistics showing cell phones as one of the leading causes of teen deaths. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the use of cell phones are involved in 1.6 million car crashes each year, causing a half million injuries and 6,000 deaths. If passed, the penalty for possessing a cell phone includes incarceration up to one year, and/or a $1,000 fine for anyone under 21 caught with a cell phone.
The bill also states that…
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One year in jail for possessing a cellphone?

January 10, 2020
That’s the penalty in Vermont proposed in a bill introduced in the state legislature in January, 2020. State Senator John Rodgers quoted statistics showing cellphones as one of the leading causes of teen deaths. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the use of cellphones are involved in 1.6 million car crashed each year, causing a half million injuries and 6,000 deaths. If passed, the penalty includes incarceration up to one year, and/or a $1,000 fine for anyone under 21 caught with a cellphone.
The bill also stated that “young people frequently use cellphones to bully and…
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